Fire Princess crowned
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 14, 2012 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
From left: fourth runner-up Taylor Stovall, third runner-up Erin Lyda, 2011 Miss Fire Princess Morgan Johnson, 2012 Miss Fire Princess Katie Stallings, first runner-up Lizzie Yelverton and second runner-up Madisen Barwick, 16.
Full SizeFirst she captured the character, then she captivated the audience.
After portraying a scene from the movie "Forrest Gump," Katie Stallings, 17, of the Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Fire Department won the title of Wayne County's 2012 Miss Fire Princess.
The winner of the 38th annual pageant is now looking forward to riding in parades and representing Wayne County and the Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Fire Department.
"All the girls worked really hard, it was a lot of a stress but its 100 percent worth it. I'm really blessed that God gave me this opportunity," Miss Stallings said.
The Miss Fire Princess Pageant consisted of 10 contestants, judged in the first round on their individual costumes and skits, and in the second round on their evening gowns and responses to fire safety questions.
Miss Stallings' skit -- a rendition of the famous bench scene -- was a standout.
"Mama always had a way of saying things so I could understa-and them," Stalling said in an exaggerated Southern drawl.
She used the Gump persona to talk about fire safety, telling stories that used the characters of Mama, Lt. Dan and Bubba.
All of the contestants put together their own skits and thought of creative ways to incorporate fire safety tips like EDITH (exit drills inside the home) and PASS, the fire extinguisher instructional acronym that means "Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep."
Other winners were fourth runner-up Taylor Stovall; third runner-up Erin Lyda; second runner-up Madisen Barwick; and first runner-up Lizzie Yelverton.
Outgoing 2011 Miss Fire Princess, Morgan Johnson, as her final act as princess, raised more than $1,200 for the Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill.